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BEST PLACE TO BUY A PUPPY

CHOOSE A REPUTABLE BREEDER. Research well! A good breeder will prioritise the puppy’s welfare far above the financial gain and accordingly will want to interview you to ensure that their puppy will be going to a good home. They may wish to visit your home. They will expect you to sign some kind of contract. They will want the puppy returned to them if for any reason you are unable to care for it. They will be happy to answer your questions, offer advice on raising your puppy and serve as a great support system.

LOCAL AREA: There are usually plenty of litters being advertised in local newsagents and papers. These may prove to be exactly what you are looking for if you know what breed you want, but always insist on seeing the puppies with their mother or look elsewhere if this is refused.

AVOID BUYING FROM A PET SHOP ETC, through a newspaper advertisement or other retail outlet, offering a wide range of breeds. It is likely they have come from puppy farms where they will have been badly bred in poor conditions as the top priority is profit, not the puppy’s welfare

NEVER AGREE TO MEET A BREEDER HALF WAY, including at dog shows or service stations: this is a favourite trick of puppy farms. Always visit the breeder’s home. Do not agree to have the puppy delivered because you will not know the temperament of its mother or littermates nor will you know what conditions it was raised in or its general state of health. . If using the internet for initial research that is fine but exercise caution and use common sense and be sure to visit the puppy personally before deciding to purchase.

ADOPTING FROM A SHELTER OR RESCUE: While most dogs in shelters are mixed breeds, most have a percentage of pure breeds. However they may prove to be very difficult to rehome “status” breeds and are unlikely to be suitable as a family pet. There are also specific breed rescue groups across the country. Adoption fees are generally quite reasonable. As rescue dogs are frequently mature adults from less than stable backgrounds a first time purchaser would be better off buying a puppy that can be trained and reared to fit in with your lifestyle in a manner that will avoid problems as it matures.

IF CHOOSING A PARTICULAR BREED:Contact either your local rescue centre or the breed club secretary of the breed you have chosen.

THE KENNEL CLUB WEBSITE HAS A LIST OF BREEDERS IN YOUR LOCAL AREAwho have signed up to the Kennel Club Accredited Breeders Scheme. Also run in association with this scheme is the Puppy Index, run by the Pet Care Trust with about 5,000 breeders signed up to it. Database files containing photos and breed summaries are often available in pet stores whose knowledgeable staff may also be able to recommend the nearest breeders of suitable dogs.